I have to admit when I saw that the Switch was getting Cat Quest, I was somewhat skeptical. Mobile games usually don’t translate well to make a good console experience. Cat Quest is a definite exception to that rule.
While I had some initial reservations about the game, I’m happy to say that those were wiped away. By the end of my time with the game, I was invested in progressing through the end. I also highly enjoyed the fun references to gaming culture along the way.
Name: Cat Quest
Developer: The Gentlebros
Publisher: pQube
Genre: Adventure, RPG
Price: $12.99
Availability: Nintendo eShop
Gameplay
Cat Quest’s gameplay is a simple hack-n-slash loot collection RPG, but don’t be fooled by the simple presentation. The game takes place on a huge over-world map that’s much bigger than you would expect.
Combat is a pretty simple affair with loot drops that can be worn to enhance certain aspects. Bonuses to health, damage, and mana pool help you start to feel more competent in combat.
You can choose to be a melee kitty that does tons of damage. Or you can equip yourself with mage gear to fling spells that melt faces. The game obviously takes a lot of inspiration from RPGs like Skyrim in both the story and the gameplay.
Players wake up in a mysterious world inhabited by cats to find they are the Dragonblood. That’s a long lost race left over from the Dragon Wars. Sound familiar?
You’ll take quests from the mission boards of various towns you visit. Each quest is usually part of a chain that ends up progressing the story alongside the main story.
You can only have one quest active at a time, but you’re encouraged to take on several side quests. These quests help you level up for the main story and grant powerful rewards.
I was a bit disappointed that every single dungeon in the game is a combat dungeon. The dungeons require you to kill everything in it, which gets tedious towards the end. A mix of puzzle and combat dungeons would have been nice to help differentiate the gameplay.
However, figuring out how to unlock the golden chests you’ll find in the dungeon is puzzle enough, I suppose.
Aesthetic
The over-world map is littered with dungeons that vary in difficulty. You’ll want to pay close attention to the level requirement before you enter the dungeon.
Monsters with a skull next to their health bar out-level you significantly. A single hit is often enough to KO you if you’re not careful.
The side quests available throughout the game usually send you to level-appropriate dungeons. That means there are only a few spots where you have to worry about this in game.
All of the action takes place on the over-world map when you’re not inside a dungeon. Most monsters are able to cast at least one spell alongside their physical attack.
You can dodge these pretty easily once you identify which type of monster you’re facing. The spell patterns are the same as those the player gets, making them easy to learn.
Spell staples like flame, lightning, and ice are represented. My favorite spell is the spike trap that continually damages enemies that are inside it. Throwing this spell down while you’re kiting a boss dragon can change the course of a fight.
There’s also a healing spell that will be your main source of battle heals. You can also take ‘cat naps’ at many of the villages that litter the over-world map.
I found the way the loot system works to be pretty innovative for a mobile game. Instead of dropping item duplicates that turn into vendor trash, the game ‘upgrades’ your item. Leveling up items this way completely changes the power dynamic and keeps gameplay interesting.
This always randomizes your most powerful equipment. I found myself switching frequently to maximize my attack power and health as I got new gear. It also encourages you to go through every dungeon you see on the map.
Most dungeons contain at least two regular treasure chests and one locked chest. Special locked chests are the only puzzles to solve in the game.
The story of the game is pretty standard as far RPGs go. However, there are a few twists that make it enjoyable enough.
Unlike most side quests in the game you find out more about the world you’re exploring. As you help the peasants on their quests, you slowly begin to realize something is not right.
Cat Quest is an entirely single player game, so there is currently no co-op or multiplayer. The developer worked this into Cat Quest II after many requests for the feature.
Cat Quest Switch – Music
The music of Cat Quest is an absolute treat to experience. In fact, the style reminds me a lot of the music you’ll find in Pokemon Games. The fast-paced battle music are some of the best tracks, in my opinion.
My favorite track on the list is the Dungeon Crawling Kitten track. That is usually the music you’ll get when you venture into a cave. Check it out below to see what I mean when I say this game has an excellent soundtrack.
Cat Quest Switch – Worth it?
Yes. If you’re the type of person who likes RPGs and tongue-in-cheek humor. Cat Quest has tons of references to popular gaming culture, making it a fun experience.
It is unfortunate that the Switch version costs $12.99. The mobile version of the game is available for $4.99, which is a huge difference. The price is in-line with the Steam version – so it’s hard to complain about a Switch tax.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time spent with the game. I ended up playing it through to the main quest completion, which took me about 8 hours.
It’s easy enough to pick up and the quests are bite-sized enough to be enjoyable while you’re on the go. I found myself laughing at some of the quest dialogue more than once.
